Thirst

Thirst is a critical basic need for all beavers in Timberborn. It decays at 70 points per day, with a maximum of 100 and a minimum of -300. Beavers drink approximately 2.13 units of water daily to stay hydrated. When Thirst reaches zero, beavers become Dehydrated, suffering a -25% Movement Speed penalty. From the onset of Dehydration, beavers survive for 4.29 days before dying of thirst. Like Hunger, Thirst is one of the two needs that can directly kill beavers, making reliable water access the single most important infrastructure concern in any colony.

Beavers satisfy their Thirst by drinking water, which must be accessible within their district. Water sources include natural rivers and lakes, as well as water stored behind Dams, Levees, and Floodgates. Water Pumps and Deep Water Pumps extract water for distribution through the colony. Iron Teeth players also have access to Badwater Pumps, though Badwater itself is toxic and must be processed. Water Dumps can redistribute water to dry areas. During droughts, rivers dry up entirely, making water storage infrastructure essential for survival. Building reservoirs with Dams and Levees before the first drought is one of the most critical early-game priorities.

Strategic water management revolves around the drought cycle. Players should construct large reservoirs upstream using Dams and Levees, ensuring enough stored water to last through the longest anticipated dry period. Multiple smaller reservoirs provide redundancy in case one area runs dry. Water Pumps should be placed near deep water sources for maximum efficiency. Monitoring the water level and beaver hydration status helps identify shortages before they become fatal. In extreme droughts, reducing the population through controlled Breeding Pod output and prioritizing water access for existing beavers can prevent total colony collapse. Districts further from water sources may need dedicated water infrastructure or Tubeway connections (for Iron Teeth) to ensure timely hydration.